John Knowles book summaries

“I was on active duty all my time at school; I killed my enemy there.”

Gene's reflection near the end of the novel, acknowledging that his real enemy was his own inner conflict, not the war.

“It was a fearful sight, the tree, but I was used to it by now.”

Gene's description of the tree at Devon, which he returns to at the beginning of the novel, symbolizing the site of his betrayal.

“Phineas was the essence of this careless peace.”

Gene's observation about Finny's ability to create a world of peace and innocence at Devon, untouched by the war.

“I did not cry then or ever about Finny. I did not cry even when I stood watching him being lowered into his family's strait-laced burial ground outside of Boston.”

Gene's description of his reaction to Finny's funeral, showing his emotional numbness and guilt.

“There was no harm in his taking the best of everything, because he was so generous with it.”

Gene's reflection on Finny's character, acknowledging his friend's natural charisma and generosity.

“I was beginning to see that Phineas could get away with anything. I couldn't help envying him that.”

Gene's admission of his envy of Finny's ability to charm and defy rules without consequence.